Alberto Neri Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aeder Albopictus) General Information:
The Asian tiger mosquito is an insect invasive species native to Asia and now parts of subtropical and tropical America (1). It is a black mosquito with white markings throughout its whole body and measures at about 2 to 10 mm in length (1).
Detailed Description:
The insect preys and consumes on many things. Particularly the males eat nectar and other sweet juices from plants to get energy, while the females need human blood to develop their eggs (1). They drop their eggs in small areas of contained water, instead of swamps like most regular mosquitoes. They also out beat their competitors by causing a more irritating bite and fly around all day and night.Asian tiger mosquitoes also may function as transmitter of the west nile virus and the eastern equine encephalitis, a virus from wild birds that occasionally affects horses and humans (1). Habitat:
The mosquitoes are natives from the subtropical areas of Southeast Asia. Unlike other mosquitoes these insects tend to be around areas with a lot of carbon dioxide, organic substances from the area, and humidity (2). Distribution:
These insects were brought into the U.S accidentally in tire casings imported for recapping. The shipping of them caused the species to spread throughout over 26 states since 1985 (2). They were first found in Hawaii in the late 1800's and then Houston, Texas in 1985 (2).
Impacts on the Ecosystem:
It has a very small negative effect on the ecosystem by feeding on the nectar of plants. This species likes to stick with their own and don't work with any other insects or animals. Impacts on Humans:
They are cable of carrying the west nile virus and the eastern equine encephalitis, which if bitten by should have checked immediately if more than a irritation has occurred. The females also like to feed on human blood to help with the development of their eggs. Control Measures:
As of right now there is now caution to do anything unless there is evidence of the mosquitoes carrying diseases around your area. But the few areas that do need to worry should limit their time outdoors, wear light colored clothing, apply repellent and installing homes for the species is a great method to control them (2). It may a bit costly, but it's for the better of peoples health.
Works Cited:
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Rios, Leslie, and James E. Maruniak. "Asian tiger mosquito ." </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">//Featured Creatures//</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">. Center for Disease </span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Control Public Health Image Library, University of Florida, May 2008. Web. 6 Dec. 2009. </span>
[[#main]] <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><http://www.entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/aquatic/asian_tiger.htm>. </span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Illinois Department of Public Health. "Asian Tiger Mosquito." </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">//Illinois Department of Public Health// </span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">//Prevention and Control//</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">. Illinois Department of Public Health, n.d. Web. 6 Dec. 2009. </span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/pctigermosquito.htm>. </span>
Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aeder Albopictus)
General Information:
The Asian tiger mosquito is an insect invasive species native to Asia and now parts of subtropical and tropical America (1). It is a black mosquito with white markings throughout its whole body and measures at about 2 to 10 mm in length (1).
Detailed Description:
The insect preys and consumes on many things. Particularly the males eat nectar and other sweet juices from plants to get energy, while the females need human blood to develop their eggs (1). They drop their eggs in small areas of contained water, instead of swamps like most regular mosquitoes. They also out beat their competitors by causing a more irritating bite and fly around all day and night. Asian tiger mosquitoes also may function as transmitter of the west nile virus and the eastern equine encephalitis, a virus from wild birds that occasionally affects horses and humans (1).
Habitat:
The mosquitoes are natives from the subtropical areas of Southeast Asia. Unlike other mosquitoes these insects tend to be around areas with a lot of carbon dioxide, organic substances from the area, and humidity (2).
Distribution:
These insects were brought into the U.S accidentally in tire casings imported for recapping. The shipping of them caused the species to spread throughout over 26 states since 1985 (2). They were first found in Hawaii in the late 1800's and then Houston, Texas in 1985 (2).
Impacts on the Ecosystem:
It has a very small negative effect on the ecosystem by feeding on the nectar of plants. This species likes to stick with their own and don't work with any other insects or animals.
Impacts on Humans:
They are cable of carrying the west nile virus and the eastern equine encephalitis, which if bitten by should have checked immediately if more than a irritation has occurred. The females also like to feed on human blood to help with the development of their eggs.
Control Measures:
As of right now there is now caution to do anything unless there is evidence of the mosquitoes carrying diseases around your area. But the few areas that do need to worry should limit their time outdoors, wear light colored clothing, apply repellent and installing homes for the species is a great method to control them (2). It may a bit costly, but it's for the better of peoples health.
Works Cited:
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Rios, Leslie, and James E. Maruniak. "Asian tiger mosquito ." </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">//Featured Creatures//</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">. Center for Disease </span> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Control Public Health Image Library, University of Florida, May 2008. Web. 6 Dec. 2009. </span> [[#main]] <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><http://www.entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/aquatic/asian_tiger.htm>. </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Illinois Department of Public Health. "Asian Tiger Mosquito." </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">//Illinois Department of Public Health// </span> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">//Prevention and Control//</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">. Illinois Department of Public Health, n.d. Web. 6 Dec. 2009. </span> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/pctigermosquito.htm>. </span>